9 months (the picture post--a little late)

Jackson,

I can't believe it's been nine months since this day. Time flies when you're having fun. What a little personality you have developed. It's almost time to start thinking about your first birthday party! Wow.

This 9th month has been full of so many exciting things.

The biggest news I have to tell you this month is this...You have discovered your temper! And boy is that funny. I know that in the coming months and years, there will be times when your temper and/or behavior give us reason to discipline you, and I'm already praying that your dad and I will have the wisdom and patience to do so lovingly and effectively. It's an overwhelming thought. Right now, it's neat to see you growing into a little person with feelings and emotions. It has been quite funny to watch you get angry when you can't pick up a slimy banana off of your high chair tray or when a toy doesn't do what you want it to do, or when we take something away from you that you shouldn't have. So much to learn little man!

Every time I talk to mom and you are around, she comments on how much of a mess you are! You are always talking, talking, talking. You just have so much to say. (You even have "mad talk" which is quite funny. You start saying "na na na na na" and then you just do all this jabbering that is just hilarious. You are a whole lot of person! You are so full of excitement and find humor in random things. You still think it's funny for us to chase you, and you love splashing water. You laugh hysterically when I sneeze, and you are verrrrrrrrrrrry ticklish. Even your Sunday School teachers, babysitters, Mother's Day Out teachers and friends comment on how ticklish you are. If you are like me, even the thought of being tickled is enough to make your insides squirm!

Lately you have been keeping busy playing. This month, you are loving independent play time. You talk to yourself, to your toys, and explore EVERYTHING. You love playing with your Laugh and Learn table, and you really like balls. You will chase a ball around (large or small) for a good while. You love to ride in your red car. Now you also like to "walk" behind it. You are all over the house, and of course you are fascinated with the oven and my big artificial tree. I spend a lot of time trying to keep you away from those things and a lot of time worrying that you will hurt yourself. You have definitely gotten your fair share of bumps already. I pray everyday that I will do a good job of protecting you and making your environment safe.

You LOVE to dance! The other day when I picked you up from MDO, Mrs. Barbara said, "Now you better tell Jackson that if he's gonna be a Baptist boy he better quit all that dancing." Haha. I must say you have probably learned it from me because I have been dancing around you since you were born! You do have music in your background, so you just can't help but feel the beat. Your Poppy is going to be so proud of how well you can keep up with rhythm. I think it's hilarious that you dance to anything--not just music. You even dance when I am scrubbing the carpet. Haha.

This month you have started eating pretty much everything we eat except for seafood, peanut butter, honey, and eggs. Actually, you have had eggs (shhh...don't tell Dr. Knapick!) Anytime you hear the microwave buttons, you start grunting and crawling fast toward the kitchen. You know that means food is being heated up! It's not that we were trying to jump the gun on giving you all this "big people food". You just started "requesting it", so we thought why not?

I can't believe how much you've grown. Lately I look at you and think you look more and more like a little boy. I know I always say that, but it's true. I have still been soaking in every moment of you being a baby--a bigger, more active one. I savor every moment that you will let me rock you when you are sleepy or hold you when you are drinking your bottle. It makes my heart hurt to know that in less than three months, you'll be moving away from the bottle and on to big boy cups. I finally took the bumper off of your bed this month. Didn't want it to help you escape from your crib. Your jumper and swing are packed up, and your Exersaucer has been turned into an activity table. Where did my baby go?!

Here are some pictures from your 9th month. Now that you'll be ten months old soon!

I love how silly you can be.

You look like such a big boy here.

Mealtime--your favorite! ;)

You also love to play in the magazine basket.

Playing with your Laugh & Learn table

I let you make messes a lot because you seem to enjoy it, and there's nothing cuter than a baby wearing only a diaper and what he ate for dinner. ;)

You love to look out the window. I love to watch you do this!

You have to have your hands on everything.

The ladies love a man with a Cheerio in the corner of his mouth. Our breakfast time is one of my favorite parts of our day!

Exploring

Busted!

I thought this was sweet.

My little ham. You love to cruise around the ottoman.

At the Market Street Fountains with friends. The girls got to sit and talk with each other while their little girls interacted with each other. You weren't going to have that! Here you are squirming away from me to get to the fountains! Never a dull moment. I love you.

This month, you have also started something new when you are sleepy. You grab onto anything soft and put it next to your face and start sucking your thumb. It is so sweet. Sometimes it's an animal, a blanket, a piece of clothing, a pillow, just anything soft. You're such a sweetie.

Well, I have many more pics to post, but I'm going to spread them out in different Blogs so that I can get this posted before you turn 1 year! ;)

Happy 9 months (late) little man!